Mail-box.



No. 810,089. PATENTED JAN. 16, 1906. E. G. SBASHOLTZ.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1905.

Witmqsoeo I APATBNTED JAN. 16, 1906.

- E. G, SBASHOLTZ. v

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1905.

2 SHEETSHEET 2.

EDWVARD SEASHOLTZ, OF SUNBURY, PENNSYLVANIA.

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1906.

Application filed August 28, 1905. Serial No. 276,095.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD G. SEAsHoLTz, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sunbury, in the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in mail-boxes, especially that class of mail-boxes used in the rural free-delivery service; and it has for its object to provide a mail deposit and delivery box so simple in construction and operation that wherever used a great saving of time will result.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mail-box which by certain arrangements of its parts will indicate to the carrier at a distance that the box is empty and that therefore he need not slacken his pace, stop his vehicle, and unlock the box to find out if any mail has been deposited for collection.

Another object of my invention is to provide a box so easily operated that any one can manipulate the same, thus making it possible for any one to attend to the receiving and depositing of the mail in this box.

My invention further consists in the arrangement of parts such that the mail to be collected is dropped directly into the mailbag or other receptacle on the carriers vehicle, thus avoiding all need of handling the separate pieces, as is necessary at present.

My invention furthermore consists in the novel arrangement, construction, and com bination of parts, all so adapted as to attain the objects above specified.

The construction and operation will be more fully set forth in the following detailed description and the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my mailbox in position and looked as when containing mail-matter. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the box with lid and bottom open. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the bottom-supporting bar. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the crank shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the crank operating the bottom. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2, showing the position of the locking-lever when the bottom is locked. Fig. 7 is a sec tional view along the line 7 7 in Fig. 6. Fig.

8 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the position of the locking-lever when in position to allow the bottom to be swung down. Fig. 9 is a sectional View of the box along the line 9 9 in Fig. 8, showing the depending bottom,

as when dropped by the carrier to take the mail deposited therein for collection. Fig. 10 is a detail of the locking-catch on the lid. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail of the lockinglever removed from its bearings. Fig. 12 is a detail of the rocker-shaft of theindex-pointer.

Referring now in greater detail to the several views, similar numerals being applied to corresponding parts throughout, 1 is a suitable board to which is secured the box proper by means of the bolts 1. The parts 2, 2, and 2 constitute the body portion of the box and may be of one piece or of several pieces of -heavy sheet metal or may be cast in thin plates and secured together by means of the bolts 4 The plates 4 serve several purposes-to secure the box to the mountingboard 1, to afford bearings for the rods 5 10 and the bar 8, and to bind together, by means ofthe bolts 4, the several parts of the body of the box. These are also made of strong sheet or spring metal.

Pivoted in the upper ends of plates 4 4 is the rod 5, serving as a hinge for the lid 3, which is rigidly secured to it. At one end of said rod and intergral therewith is a crankarm ending in the sleeve end 5 said sleeve end having through it a hole parallel with the rod 5, said hole being adapted to receive the stem 19 of the eyebolt 18. This eyebolt 18 has the eye 18*, therod 15 being adapted to slide freely therethrough for a purpose presently to be described. Eyebolt 18 is secured in the part 5 by means of a cross-key, as shown in Fig. 1, and can freely turn within the channel in 5. In the bearing-plates 4 4 is also j ournaled the rod 10, and to it is rigidly secured the floor 14 of the box in any suitable way. Said floor 14 is painted in a color contrasting strongly with the sides of the box, and this differently-colored surface, preferably red, will, when. the box is in position shown in Figs. 2 and 9, be a positive signal to the carrier at a distance that no stop need be made unless he have mail-matter to deposit therein. One end 10 of said rod 10 is extended beyond its adjacent plate 4 for a purpose hereinafter described. At the opposite end thereof and being on the same end of the mail-box, on which is the part 5 of the rod 5, there is rigidly secured. the crank 11, said crank being fitted with a stud 12, adapted to be pivoted to one end of the connecting-rod 15, the said rod being piv' otally connected to 12 and removably secured by any suitable means, as a cross-key, nut, or otherwise. The opposite end of 15 is adapted to pass into and through the eye 18. To the eyebolt 18 is secured one end 01' the spring 17, the body thereof being placed between 18 and the thumb-nut 1 6, said nut being adapted to engage the threaded end of 15, and thus afiording meansfor adjusting the power of spring 17 when the same is compressed. By means of rod 15, crank 11, and the eyebolt 18 working against spring 17 the closing of the lid 3 will automatically close the bottom 14, while also the bottom 14 may by virture of these same connecting means be brought to its depending position, as shown in Fig. 9, Without moving 3 from the position shown in Fig. 1. The reduced end 13 of rod 10 projects beyond 11 and serves as a stop or rest for the rod 15 when the crank 11, and with it 14, has been swung into the position shown in Fig. 2. In the bearing-plates 4 is also pivoted the bar 8, which serves the double purpose of supporting 14 and locking it in its supported position, as in Figs. 1, 6, and 8. The ends of said bar are shaped into pivots which pass through plates 4 4 and project beyond the same to receive the handles 6 7, said handle 6 being integral with the part 6, this said end 6 being so proportioned relative to the connected parts that it will always rest upon the stop 10. By this device the bottom-supporting bar 8 will always take the position shown in Fig. 7, except when the andle 6 or 7 is depressed to release 14.

In Figs. 6 and 8 is shown the locking-lever 21 in'its two positions. 41 is a bracket secured to 2 and having a groove in each arm, so adapted that 21 will slide back and forth in said grooves when actuated by a suitable key. 22 is formed with a suitable hook arranged to enter and hold securely in the catch 45, secured on the lid 3. The foot 23 is so arranged as to be positioned between 8 and the wall 2 when in its locked position, as in Fig. 6. 9 is a recess in 8, so located there in that it will register with the foot 23 when the locking-lever 21 is in its retracted position, Fig. 8. With the recess 9 and the foot 23 in this position, by depressing handle '6 or 7 bar 8 may be swung back, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7, and the bottom 14 will swing down, as in Fig. 9. By reference to Figs. 2 and 9 it is disclosed that 14 is secured to 10 eccentrically of the width of 14. This eccentricity of mounting will thus always cause 14 to swing down when the handle 6 or 7 is depressed and the bar 8 moved far enough to release said member 14. 43 and 44 are recesses in 21, adapted to engage the bottom of one of the grooves in the arms of the bracket 41. 30 is a spring secured about the rounded part 21, abutting against 41 and tending by its expansive force to keep the locking-lever 21 in the locked position. 24 is a rod passing through openings in bracket 20, the lower end thereof resting on the upper edge of 21. In this rod is secured a pin 26, against which rests the spring 25, the other end of said springabutting against the upturned end of bracket 20. By means of this spring 25, 24 continually holds 21 in engagement by either 43 or 44 with the groove in 41. To the heel of 21 is secured on the pin 28 a kicker 27, said kicker being of such length that when the bottom is swung it will drop to an approximately vertical position, so that the recess 29 will engage the pin 29 and the end of said kicker project into the way of the bottom. When,thereiore,the bottom is closed, it strikes against the end of 27, which raises 21 against the force of 25, disengages 44, and thus by the action of spring 30 throws the lever 21 into the position in Fig. 6, thus completely locking the box without the use of the key. Said kicker 27 is also provided with a notch 31, arranged to engage the edge of 20 of the bracket 20. By placing said part 27 as in Fig. 8 the locking-lever will be rendered entirely inoperative, it being then possible to open and close the lid without using the key at all. So, too, the bottom can be swung open or closed, as desired. The catch 45 is integral with the rod 45, which passes through plate 46, said plate being adjacent to and rigidly secured to 45. Plate 46 is so cut that it tends to keep 45 in the proper position to be secured by 22. Rod 45 passes through the arms of bracket 49, secured to the under side of lid 3. To 45 is secured a pin 47, and a spring 48, surrounding 45, is held by 47 at one end, while the other end thereof abuts against one end of bracket 49. By this arrangement whenever lid 3 is closed the catch 45 will engage and hold securely the hook 22, and thus lock the box, even though the locking-lever 21 be in position as in Fig. 6. 40 is a small bracket secured to 2 and adapted to form a bearing for one end of shaft 35, the other end thereof having its bearing in the wall 2 and projecting outward far enough to be adapted to have fixedly secured to it the pointer 38. 35 has attached to it the arm 36, adapted to form a knuckle-j oint with one end of the link 32, the opposite end of said link being pivotally secured to 22 by means of a pin or bolt 33, secured in the hole 33. When, there fore, the locking-lever 21 is moved, the link 32 will rock the arm 36, and thus also rock 35 and by it the pointer 38 from the locked posi-' tion to the unlocked position, or vice versa. 42 is a shoulder acting as a stop for 14.

I The operation of my invention is as follows: With the parts as in Fig. 9 upon the approach of the carrier the depending diflen entlycolored bottom 14 signals that no mail has been deposited for collection. If

now none be in his possession for deposit therein, he need not stop to manipulate the box in any way, and consequently no time is lost. If, however, he has mail to place therein, he raises the lid 3. This movement of the lid will rotate the hinge-rod 5, thus causing 18 to work against spring 17; but the expansive force of said spring against the nut 16 will raise rod 15, which by means of crank 11, secured on 10, will cause 14 to swing into position. As said bottom 14 swings up it strikes the end of the kicker, which is in an approximately vertical position, with the notch 29 engaging the pin 29, and by means of said kicker raises 21 so as to disengage recess 44, and spring 30, abutting against the one arm of 41, will slide 21 into the locking position of Fig. 6. As 14 swings up the edge thereof meets the inclined inner face of bar 8 and rocks it into position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7; but when it has passed above the edge of this bar 8 the heavy arm 6 will immediately drop to its resting position on the stop 10, and thereby rotate 8 into position to support 14. Simultaneously 21 is slid into its locking position and locks 8, thus making it impossible to depress either 6 or 7 until 21 is again retracted by means of a suitable key. If on approaching, the signal of thedepending colored button is not seen the carrier is thereby informed that mail has been deposited therein for collection. In such case the lid 3 may or may not be engaged by 22, according to the position in which 21 has been put by the patron. If said locking-lever is in its locking position, as in Fig. 6, the carrier inserts his key, the construction of which is such that when turned the heel thereof catches the under edge of 21 and raises it enough against the action of 24, actuated by 25, so as to disengage recess 43. At this point of the rotation of the key it will engage the part 21 and re tract 21, so that 44 will now engage the groove in the arm 41. Spring 25 actuating 24 insures the engagement of 48 or 44 whenever one of them is in proper position to be so engaged. Having placed his vehicle in proper position thereunder, he depresses either 6 or 7, and the contained pieces will, by the swinging of 14, as hereinbefore described, be deposited in a suitable receptacle attached to the vehicle. Upon coming in front of the box a glance at the pointer 38 will show in which position the locking-lever 21 has been set by the patron. If pointing to the L position, as in Fig. 1, the operation of unlocking, above described, is required. If, however, 38 is in the U or unlocked position, 21 has been retracted, as in Fig. 8, and t is necessary only to rock the bar 8 and release 14, when the mail contained will be dropped, as above, and in this way a very great saving of time results.

By making the catch 45 slid able and actuated by the spring 48 I insure the locking of the box, even though 21 be in its locking position, as in Fig. 6, before the lid-is closed. It is to be noted that the closing of the lid will always close the depending bottom and that the bottom may be opened or closed when the lid is closed without manipulating the latter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a mail-box, the combination of a suitable mounting-board, a body portion, a lid fitted thereto, a pivotally-mounted bottom, and bearing-plates adapted to secure said lid to the body portion thereof and to secure said body portion to the mounting-board.

2. In a mail deposit and delivery box, the combination of a body portion, a lid secured thereto, a bottom mounted on a longitudinal axis eccentrically of the width of said bottom, said axis being journaled in bearing plates secured to the body portion and means connecting said bottom to said lid, substan tially as described.

3. In a mail deposit and delivery box, the combination of a body portion, a lid therefor, a bottom mounted eccentrically of the width thereof and adapted to swing into a vertical position, and means connecting said bottom with said lid, so adapted that the closing of said lid will move said bottom into the closed position.

4. In a mail deposit and delivery box, the combination of a body portion, a bottom therefor adapted to be swung along a longitudinal axis, said bottom being of a different color from the body portion and automaticallyoperating means for securing and retaining said bottom in its closed position.

5. In a mail deposit and delivery box, the

combination of a body portion, a lid therefor,

a bottom mounted on a longitudinal axis eccentrically of the width, means connecting said bottom with the lid, said means consisting of a crank secured to the axis of the bottom, a rod pivoted at one end to said crank and the other end slidably connected with the lid, and so adapted that the bottom may be swung into an open position without opening said lid, substantially as described.

6. In a mail-box, the combination of a body portion, a lid with means thereon for securing the same by a locking member, said locking member being secured within the body portion and on the walls thereof, a bottom mounted on a longitudinal axis, independent means for supporting said bottom in a closed position, said supporting means adapted to be locked when said locking member is in the locking position, substantially as described.

7. In a mail-box the combination of a body portion, a locking-lever adapted to slide in brackets and fitted with a spring tending to return said locking-lever to the locking posi tion, a bottom fitted to said body portion,

IIO

I means for placing same in a depending position, means for supporting said bottom in a closed position, said means adapted to be operable only when the locking-lever is in the unlocked position, substantially as described.

8. In a mail deposit and delivery box, the combination of a body portion, a bottom colored differently from the body portion mounted on a longitudinal axis eccentrically of the width and adapted to be swung for a signal, means for supporting said bottom in a closed position, said means consisting of a bar mounted in the bearing-plates, said bar being arranged to be rocked and adapted to be returned to its normal position and to be held there by an arm mounted thereon eccentrically.

9. In a mail-box, the combination of a locking-lever on the walls thereof, a plate attached thereto and adapted to engage a suitable shoulder when said locking-lever is in its unlocked position, to render said lockinglever impossible of locking the lid of said box, and a supporting means for the bottom thereof.

10. In a mail-box, the combination of a body portion, a lid, a bottom arranged to be swung on a longitudinal axis, a locking-lever slidably secured to the body portion, a plate attached to said lever and arranged to swing into the path of the bottom when said bottom is opened, and adapted tovdisengage the locking-lever when said bottom is swung into the closed position, substantially as set forth.

11. In a mail-box, the combination of a body portion, a locking-lever slidably arranged in grooves in brackets secured to the walls thereof, shoulders on said lever to hold the same in position and means whereby said shoulders are held in engagement with said grooves, and a spring fitted to said lever operating to slide said lever into the locking position whenever said shoulders are disengaged.

12. In a mail-box, the combination of a body portion, a lid fitted thereto, a shaft, a locking-lever secured to the walls of said body portion, said lever being slidable and connected by a suitable rod to an arm on said shaft, said shaft having fixed thereto apointer arranged on the outside of the Walls of the box and adapted to indicate by suitable symbols the position of said locking-lever.

13. In a mail deposit and delivery box, the combination of a body portion, a lid fitted with means for being locked, said means being slidable and actuated by a spring to insure engagement with the locking-lever in its locking position, a bottom mounted to swing on a longitudinal axis eccentrically of the width, a crank on said axis, a rodconnecting the crank on said longitudinal axis with the lid in a slidable connection by means of an eyebolt, said eyebolt arranged to work against the spring on said rod, and a nut on said rod whereby the force of said spring may be adjusted.

14. In a mail-box, the combination of a body portion, a rod having a crank at one end thereof, a lid hinged on said rod, a bottom adapted to swing into a depending position and serve as a signal, means connecting said bottom with the lid, whereby the closing of the lid will also close the open bottom, and so adapted that the bottom may be swung open independently of the closed lid, substantially as set forth.

15. In a mail deposit and delivery box, the" combination of a body portion, a bottom-supporting bar, a locking-lever secured on the front wall thereof and within the box, said lever adapted simultaneously to lock the lid and the bottom-supporting bar, said lever carrying a plate arranged to be positioned in the path of the open bottom and adapted to disengage the locking-lever from its unlocking position, when the bottom is brought into the closed position, and thus simultaneously lock the lid and the bottom, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWVARD G. SEASHOLTZ.

WVitnesses:

D. R. ZARTMAN, E. E. REEDER. 

